Ink well attachment



Nov. 21, 1933. s. HOFFMAN 1,936,394

INK WELL ATTACHMENT Filed Aug. 10, 1935 ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 21, 1933 unrreo stares PATENT OFFEQE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to an ink bottle accessory, more particularly to the provision of an ink bottle accessory which provides a self-leveling ink well.

It is an object of my invention to provide an accessory for an ink bottle whereby, in association with a main source of writing fluid, there may be attached a dipping portion which provides a predetermined level of ink, within which a pen may be dipped to a predetermined level.

It is also an object of my invention to provide in an ink well assembly, a constant level dipping portion which also serves substantially to seal the ink from the atmosphere, to avoid a deterioration from that source.

In ink wells as known to me, operating on the barometer principle, considerable dimculty has been involved in maintaining a constant level by the so-called dipping portion of the well. Also, changes in atmospheric conditions will tend to flood the clipping portion, especially as the barometrically controlled reservoir becomes depleted in its supply of ink. Furthermore, it is desirable, in an ink 'well operating upon the barometric principle, for a supply of ink, to maintain an atmospherically sealed reservoir. Under such conditions, the filling of this reservoir is a considerable problem, due to the inability to fill the barometrically controlled reservoir while attempting to displace the air necessary for filling the same.

It is therefore an object of my invention to associate a barometrically controlled ink well as an accessory for the household ink bottle, whereby a predetermined level dipping portion is obtained and the problems attendant to using a barometrically controlled filler for the clipping portion are not only avoided but quick and ready means are afforded for providing the barometrically controlled reservoir for the dipping portion with an additional supply of ink, whenever necessary.

Other objects of my invention comprise the association with a primary reservoir serving as the main source of ink supply, of a pen dipping portion or Well, the supply of writing fluidfor 'which is controlled by a barometric chamber, and to further associate the dipping portion and main reservoir so that changes in atmospheric conditions do not render the device inoperative, to fully control a predetermined level in the dipping portion, and further, so associating the barometrically controlled dipping portion with a primary reservoir so that the supplyof writing fluid in the barometric chamber may be replenished with speed and facility.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein or be hereinafter pointed out, I make reference to the accompany- 9 ing drawing, forming a part hereof, in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through my device; I

Figure 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1, with the bottle closure removed;

Figure 3 is a plan view of my device.

Making reference to the drawing, in my preferred form of the invention, it is desirable to associate with a primary reservoir in the form of a bottle 10, a pen dipping accessory 11 which may fit into the mouth 12 of the bottle. This accessory comprises primarily a pen dipping portion 13, connected With a barometrically controlled reservoir 14 fed through the opening 15,- the level being substantially maintained by ink rising in the clipping portion 13 to cover the opening 15. Into the enlarged orifice 16 of the dipping portion there may be provided a closure funnel 17, carryinga spring pressed closure disk 18 of the general construction referred to in my prior filed application, Serial No. 615,143. filed June 3, 1932 entitled Ink well. All of the features described in said aforementioned application as to the control of writing fluid to the clipping portion 13 from the barometric chamber 14 may be embodied in the present construction which. in the form described, serves as a closure for the bottle 10.

It has been my experience, however, as the writing fluid in the chamber 14 becomes depleted and air expands above the level of the fluid in said chamber, due to the heat of the hand or due to other causes heating the air, the ink tends to rise unduly in the dipping portion 13. For this purpose, I have provided a constant level tube 19, leading through the bottom 20 of the dipping portion. The upper edge 21 is slightly above or at approximately the level controlled by the orifice 15, leading from the barometric reservoir. Should the air above the level of the writing fluid in the barometric chamber rise in temperature and the writing fluid fioW into the dipping portion 13, the ink will overflow through the tube 19, over theedge 21, and be deposited in the bottle 10. Thus, any accidental break in the barometric chamber will not cause any ink to flow and flood the dipping portion 13.

Where the ink in the bottle 10 has been consumed and a large volume of air exists over the level of the writing fluid in the bottle 10, there no may be a tendency for the air to escape through the tube 19. This escape of air through the tube 19 may cause a bubbling of the ink as it attempts to flow over the edge 21 and downwardly through the tube 19. To avoid such possibility, I have provided a second overflow tube 22, theend of which 23 is at a high level. Thus, as air may expand in the barometric chamber 14 to feed an unusual supply of writing fluid to the dipping portion 13 while air may be expanding inthe bottle 10 over the writing fluid, the air thus expanding may escape through the tube 22 while ink flows over the end 21 of the tube 19.

As an additional feature of my invention, particularly for purposes of facilely filling the barometrically controlled reservoir 14, the assembly as provided need only be inverted or tipped counterclockwise substantially to the inverted position.

Under these conditions, ink will flow from the bottle 10 through the tube 19 and possibly also through the tube 22, where this is provided and cause the Writing fluid to pass through the orifice 15 into the barometrically controlled reservoir 14.

In order to facilitate the rapid filling of the barometrically controlled reservoir 14, and to provide not only a ready exchange of position of the writing fluid with the air in the barometrically controlled reservoir 14, by providing separate passages for the air and the writing fluid, the barometrically controlled reservoir may be rapidly filled. In order to accomplish this, there is disposed into the dipping portion 13, a U-shaped tube 24, the longer branch 25 whereof extends near the bottom of the bottle 10. The shorter branch 26 has its end 2'? extending near the bottom of the dipping portion 13. At the bend 28 the tube, which for facility will hereafter be referred to as the air tube, is provided with an enlarged portion 29.

With the construction as provided, when the entire assembly is inverted, the cap 18 will serve as an effective seal for the funnel 17. Such assembly, upon being inverted, will permit the ink to pass through the tube 19, or 22, where this is provided. The ink will flow through the orifice 15 into the barometrically controlled reservoir. Air escaping from the barometrically controlled reservoir will reach the bottle through the lower end 25, after passing through the short branch opening 2'7, it being observed that the end 27 will be at the high point where no ink is present in the dipping portion 13, when the entire assembly is inverted.

Thus, there will occur a ready interchange of air and writing fluid, to permit quick filling of the barometric chamber, without delay due to the bubbling of air through the orifices. Any ink which may be present in the tube 24, upon inversion of the entire assembly settles into the enlarged portion 29 at the intermediate section 28 so that no obstruction is offered to the free flow of air through the U-shaped tube 24.

In order to provide a convenient holder for pens in connection with the assembly, a holder 31 may be integrally made with the funnel 17, in accordance with the embodiment disclosed in my prior mentioned application, and this will be mor apparent upon inspection of Figure 3.

It will thus be observed that I have provided not only a constant level ink well operable under all changes in temperature and barometric conditions, but one which is free from defective operation due to such changes. Also, I have provided a convenient accessory which may be at tached to ink bottles to convert such receptacles into a pen dipping portion of constant level, the perfect operation whereof is maintained throughout changes in atmospheric conditions and temperature. It will also be observed that I have provided a barometrically controlled pen dipping portion which may be quickly and conveniently filled to resupply the accessory reservoir with writing fluid, as conditions require.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an ink well construction including a dipping well and a barometrically controlled reservoir for writing fluid therefor, said dipping Well including an overflow tube for maintaining a constant level of fluid in said dipping well.

2. In an inking construction, in combination with a primary writing fluid vessel, a closure therefor comprising a dipping well and a barometrically controlled reservoir for feeding writing fluid thereto, an overflow tube for said well for maintaining a constant level of fluid therein, said tube being connected to direct the overflow into said vessel.

3. In an inking construction, in combination with a primary writing fluid vessel, a closure therefor comprising a dipping well and a barometrically controlled reservoir for feeding writing fluid thereto, an overflow tube for said well for maintaining a constant level of fluid therein, said tube being connected to direct the overflow into said vessel, and a secondary tube in said well having an exit end at a higher level for permitting the escape of air from said vessel during flow of fluid through said overflow tube.

4. In an inking construction, in combination with a primary writing fluid vessel, an opening in said vessel, a dipping well connected with said vessel, said dipping well having a barometrically controlled fluid supply, and an overflow in said well connected with said vessel.

5. In an inking construction, in combination a dipping well and a barometrically controlled writing fluid supply reservoir therefor, a dipping funnel for said well and a closure for saidfunnel, a primary writing fluid supply vessel, a conduit or tube connecting said vessel with said dipping Well whereby upon tipping the entire assembly, ink may be fed to said. reservoir, and an air tube for permitting a flow of air from said reservoir to said vessel.

6. In an inking construction, in combination, a dipping well and a barometrically controlled writing fluid supply reservoir therefor, a pen dipping funnel for said well and a spring pressed closure for said funnel, a primary fluid supply vessel including means for feeding writing fluid to said reservoir and an air tube permitting flow of air from said reservoir to said vessel.

7. In an inking construction, in combination, a dipping well and a barometrically controlled writing fluid supply reservoir therefor, a pen dipping funnel for said well and a spring pressed closure for said funnel, a primary fluid supply vessel including means for feeding writing fluid to said reservoir and an air tube permitting flow of air from said reservoir to said vessel, said air tube comprising a U-shaped member of unequal branches, the short branch of which is directed adjacent the bottom of the dipping well, the long branch of which is directed adjacent the bottom of the vessel.

8. In an inking construction, in combination,

a dipping well and a barometrically controlled writing fluid supply reservoir therefor, a pen dipping funnel for said well and a spring pressed closure for said funnel, a primary fluid supply vessel including means for feeding writing fluid to said reservoir and an air tube permitting flow of air from said reservoir to said vessel, said air tube comprising a U-shaped member of unequal branches, the short branch of which is directed adjacent the bottom of the dipping well, the long branch of which is directed adjacent the bottom of the vessel, said air tube having an enlarged section at its intermediate section for the collection of entrained fluid to keep the tube clear for the passage of air.

9. In an inking construction for a vessel forming a primary writing fluid supply, a dipping well assemblyiorrm'ng a closure for said vessel, said dipping well assembly including a barometrically controlled writing fluid supply reservoir, a tube in said well for permitting flow of fluid from said vessel to replenish said reservoir and serving as a constant level overflow into said vessel, an air tube comprising an inverted U- shaped tube of unequal branches, the longer branch being adapted to be adjacent the bottom of the vessel, the shorter being adapted to be adjacent the bottom of the well.

10. In an inking construction for a vessel forming a primary writing fluid supply, a dipping well assembly-forming a closure for said vessel, said dipping well assembly including a barometrically controlled writing fluid supply reservoir, a tube in said well for permitting flow of fluid from said vessel to replenish said reservoir and serving as a constant level overflow into said vessel, an air tube comprising an inverted U-shaped tube of unequal branches, the longer branch being adapted to be adjacent the bottom of the vessel, the shorter being adapted to be adjacent the bottom of the well, and an enlarged section formed in the intermediate portion of the tube for the collection of entrained writing fluid, leaving the tube clear for the passage of air.

SAM HOFFMAN. 

